scientific explanations of origins of universe

Question 1

the big bang - what did scientists observe about motion of galaxies

Answer 1

• they move away from earth & one another suggesting they were once closer so distance of a galaxy from earth worked out by how fast it moves

Question 2

the big bang - name given to explosion at start of universe

Answer 2

• big bang
• can be detected that thermal radiation comes from start of universe

Question 3

the big bang - key steps of expansion of universe according to big bang

Answer 3

• expos fed out in sudden burst of enormous energy & heat from a point of close to zero size but of infinite density
• wasn’t always an explosion but was expansion of space itself where space & time come from
• always open to modification
• accepted by most members of science community as best available explanation

Question 4

the big bang - impact of big bang on christianity

Answer 4

• for most it suggests universe had beginning & this was how god created universe
• catholic church endorse view & theory of expanding universe first proposed by belgian physicist & roman catholic priest le maitre
• some suggest big bang happened without need for creator as a spontaneous event where universe came into existence
• at the moment there’s no agreement

Question 5

quantum theory

Answer 5

• matter is made up of atoms separated from one another by empty space
• planck had a new idea about what radiation is
• wave particle duality in relation to light is when a light can appear as a wave of particle
• an atom is made up of a nucleus consisting of tiny protons & neurons with electrons circling it
• particle physics is study of sub-atomic particles
• when you observe particles they change depending on how they’re observed & behaviour appears to be random
• an important feature of quantum theory is you can’t predict action of individual particles but describe the atomic world in terms of probabilities

Question 6

quantum theory - three main implications of quantum theory for religion

Answer 6

• god perhaps works in the world by influencing events at quantum level
• quantum physics perhaps shows that we have some degree of free will
• the ‘many worlds’ interpretation of quantum physics

Question 7

quantum theory - implication of quantum theory for religion: god perhaps works in world by influencing events at quantum level

Answer 7

• quantum theory takes us further from idea of god running clockwork uni verse
• bohr suggests uncertainty was built into nature which suggests what happens in world has degree of uncertainty so how would god control such a world
• polkinghorne argues god works in world through influencing events at quantum level rents no longer random & can be described by laws of science so god can bring order from disorder

Question 8

quantum theory - implication of quantum theory for religion: quantum physics perhaps shows that we have some degree of free will

Answer 8

• most christian’s believe in order to be morally responsible we need some degree of ‘libertarian’ free will but determinists argue against & say brain is a physical system & that all physical systems operate by cause and effect do we have no free will
• some interpretations of quantum theory are deterministic but others suggest there’s a ‘niche’ for free will in brains quantum processes

Question 9

quantum theory - implication of quantum theory for religion: the ‘many worlds’ interpretation of quantum physics

Answer 9

• some physicists claim they all exist simultaneously in parallel universe so there is a multiverse not just one universe
• if some version of that theory is true then some physicists think it is much less likely that a god is needed to create them as different universes appear to be created automatically through different choices
• others argue this is irrelevant to whether or not god exists since god is still likely explanation of why anything exists

Question 10

neuroscience & challenge to religious belief

Answer 10

• neuroscientists claim to show all human experiences including religious maybe explained in terms of brain activity meaning in broad sense they’re natural
• the self/soul is way of describing neural activity stops so self dies too
• implies no arms who is morally responsible to god, no self who can have a personal relationship with god & no self who can survive death